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Three craft and fabric stores and several CBD shops closed by Grand Chute police

A woman walks back to her vehicle after reading a sign stating Joann Fabrics and Crafts was closed in Grand Chute.(Photo: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Three craft and fabric stores and several CBD stores that had been open as “essential businesses” this week were shut by Grand Chute police Wednesday morning.

Hobby Lobby, Michaels and Joann Fabrics, and several unnamed CBD shops, were asked to shut down by police to comply with Gov. Tony Evers' "Safer at Home" order March 25 that closed non-essential businesses.

“We are actively working with them to clarify the governor’s order on essential businesses,” Officer Travis Waas said.

"We've been in contact with these stores since the order came out. But we're going to be as cautious as we can with all these businesses," Waas said. "We're reaching out to the governor's office and WEDC and other communities to seek their guidance so we have a uniform approach to these things.

"All of these stores have essential properties to them, but they have non-essential properties as well."

He said police want to know what to do in these cases, especially if the primary function of the store is not deemed essential.

Signs on several Milwaukee-area Hobby Lobby stores Tuesday said they were “operating as an essential business” by “offering PPE mask supplies, educational supplies, office supplies and various components for home small businesses,” according the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Five Hobby Lobby stores were closed by police Monday and Tuesday in the Milwaukee area.

"The goal of this is to keep people at home so we can flatten the curve," Waas said. "You're still permitted to leave your home to get food and other essentials."

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A sign on Michaels The Arts and Crafts Store on Wednesday morning. The store is at 4661 Associated Court in Grand Chute.(Photo: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

He said there were several CBD stores closed in the town Wednesday morning, but he did not have information on their names or locations.

Customers were still approaching the craft and fabric stores Wednesday morning, not knowing they'd been closed.

An employee who answered the phone at Hobby Lobby Wednesday confirmed that the store was closed and that its reopening was up in the air.

A sign posted on the Grand Chute Hobby Lobby's doors reads, "Based on guidance from public health officials, we are closed effective 04/01/20 due to the COVID-19 coronavirus."